Government of Canada Announces Investments of Over $5.6 Million to Support Innovation in Victoria and Okanagan
Victoria, BC, September 16, 2019--(T-Net)--Western Economic Diversification Canada has announced investments of over $5.6 million for five organizations across British Columbia, including:
- An investment of $2,855,550 to support the Victoria Innovation, Advanced Technology and Entrepreneurship Council (VIATEC) and Accelerate Okanagan Technology Association (AO) to implement a scale-up project in Southern Vancouver Island and the Okanagan that will support the growth and potential of technology companies through enhanced management and leadership training of company executives;
- An investment of $980,000 to support the University of Victoria (UVic) in advancing, demonstrating, and commercializing innovative technologies at the Centre for Aerospace Research (CfAR), specifically in the areas of Unmanned Air Systems (UAS) and the creation of capabilities in space technologies and engineering;
- An investment of $535,000 to support the National Consortium for Indigenous Economic Development (NCIED) at UVic to deliver their new E-commerce Empowering Aboriginal Generation of Leaders and Entrepreneurs (EAGLE) program to three Indigenous communities in BC. The EAGLE program focuses on culturally sensitive and community-tailored entrepreneurship training to help Indigenous youth (ages 18-29) participate more fully in the western Canadian economy through business ownership;
- An investment of $400,000 to establish Ocean Networks Canada's Indigenous Learning and Engagement Facility at UVic. Ocean Networks Canada will make use of the latest in video conferencing hardware and technology to provide individuals in over 50 remote communities (which are mostly Indigenous) with the same oceans research training opportunities offered on-site;
- An investment of $836,750 to support Camosun College in designing and implementing a new multi-dimensional pre-apprentice program in order to increase participation of women in trades employment.
"A strong and vibrant nation is created when Canadians are positioned to succeed. The investments announced today will ensure that individuals from across British Columbia have access to the tools and training that will allow them to prosper for years to come." stated Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada.
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